Table 1 Key messages in evidence-based hypertension management
• Modification of lifestyle. [1, 8, 9, 26-29, 32, 34] |
|---|
• Assessment of overall cardiovascular risk. [1, 9, 26-29, 32, 34] |
• Reduction of overall cardiovascular risk. [1, 8, 9, 26-29, 32, 34] |
• Patients at low to medium risk may be given a longer trial of lifestyle changes before commencing pharmacotherapy. [9, 26-29, 32, 34] |
• A range of drug treatments exists, including diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin receptor antagonists. [1, 8, 9, 26-29, 32, 34] |
• The choice of antihypertensive drug may depend on characteristics of the patient, including other medical conditions or use of other medications. [1, 8, 9, 26-29, 32, 34] |
• In the absence of compelling indications for a different agent, start drug treatment with a low-dose thiazide. [1, 8, 27-33] |
• Thiazides are more cost-effective than newer agents in the management of hypertension. [1, 3, 30, 31] |
• If a patient requires a combination of agents in the treatment of blood pressure, a low dose thiazide should usually form part of the combination. [1, 8, 29, 32] |